Claims turn up heat on Sidinile

Newly formed Mecca Boxing Promotions (MBP) could be in hot water after allegations surfaced that it is using the services of suspended promoter Andile Sidinile.

The allegations were first made by the EC Promoters Association which include claims the company’s address is similar to Sidinile’s house number.

Sidinile is currently serving a suspension after his Sijuta Promotions failed to pay boxers who fought in his tournament at Orient Theatre in April last year.

One of the boxers is Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni whom he has since reconciled with and is helping to get a US contract. Sidinile and Ndongeni will depart for US today where the boxer will join Mayweather’s boxing club with a possibility of teaming up with Floyd Mayweather Promotions.

In a press conference bidding Ndongeni a farewell, Sidinile confirmed that he was helping Mecca Promotions as a consultant. However Sidinile denied he was playing any active role in the promotions besides helping in an advisory capacity.

“The directors of Mecca are clearly listed and my name is not among them,” he said.

The promoters association has appealed to Boxing SA to investigate the matter claiming that in Mecca’s debut tournament at Mdantsane Indoor last month, Sidinile was literally running proceedings.

“We are only treating it as a tip-off for now and all I can say is that we are conducting investigations,” he said.

Asked if Sidinile’s suspension meant that he could not impart his knowledge to other boxing entities, Lejaka said the company would first seek clarity from BSA.

“I do not expect anyone to use the services and expertise of someone who had brought boxing into disrepute.”

Lejeka further added that Sidinile was still in court where Sijuta is contesting the guilty charge stemming from a disciplinary hearing by BSA early this year.

Some of the allegations against Sidnile’s involvement in boxing despite his suspension include the featuring of all Sijuta boxers in the MBP tournament.

Boxers such as Leighandre Jegels topped the MBP bill when she knocked out Tanzanian Fatuma Yazidu in the first round to pick up the WBA Pan African flyweight belt.

Jegels is also part of the Ndongeni delegation leaving for US today.

Sidinile has denied everything labelled against him instead accusing local promoters of stalling boxing development by focusing on him.

He also accused the association for which he is a former secretary of assisting in the stalling of the release of government grant aimed at developing boxing in the province. This after the association elected Pathekile Sinyabi as its new secretary following the resignation of Max Mabhuti.

Sinyabi is currently embroiled in a court case after taking the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture to court to stop it from releasing R120000 meant for boxing development.